Many thanks to the original up loaders of these files. Music is the voice of each generation, let their voice be heard.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Blah, Blah, Blah

Greetings to ALL

Firstly many thanks to ken, tricky, mel and cob for their contributions. Also to spike-x cheers for taking the time and contributing his thoughts.

The sole purpose of this blog is to share music. The essence of karma is the unconditional and selfless act of giving. I encourage all responses to what goes on in this blog whether they are complimentary or negative. I will also exhibit my right of reply.

I've had a couple of negative responses of late, from the 'e police' and the obligatory 'Anonymous' expressing their dislike for me 'leeching' and 'stealing' music...... all of the music on this blog can be readily found on countless sites across the net .... I see it as sharing, the giving without the expectation of reward. As far as the artists are concerned they receive a minuscule amount for each unit sold, the main financial gain for bands are merchandise sales and ticket sales for live shows ... blog spots are promoting their music to people who otherwise would never hear it.

Basically if you have a problem with this don't download the music, don't search blog sites .. that is the essence of 'freedom of choice' But personally I suggest YOU GET A LIFE. The world is full of negativity and selfishness, with the support of the people who contribute to this blog .... the journey continues.

I've also had skids over as ausrock telling me I should 'acknowledge' the original uploaders. Well mate I try to give everyone a mention.... but hey I'm not perfect..... sometimes I forget where the music comes from.... sometimes I just don't have the time .... to anyone I have omitted in recognising their contribution ..... please accept my sincerely apologies

Message to the maddies crew and any kind Samaritan'

I need some help...... been searching all week without much luck .... I'm after some music from 'The Waifs' found their new album ... but locked with a password...... also after anything by 'Motor Ace' and 'Alex Lloyd' ....... any help would be appreciated

thanking you

stay tuned got some music from 'Nick Drake' for all to enjoy ...... I'm in acoustic mode at the moment.

243 comments:

Hi there Bruce, how's the football going? Thanks for all the good music, especially enjoyed Chevelles, Dukes, Magic Dirt...etc etc... can't find the time to listen to it all!

Here's something that might appeal to everyone who liked The Powder Monkeys: Asteroid B-612's 1994 album Forced Into A Corner, featuring Stewart "Leadfinger" Cunningham, occasional guitarist with The New Christs:

Cheers hank, much the same mate music overload but what a way to go! Half day at school today... big match at 3 o'clock today...35 degrees today ... can't wait ... intend to get plasted with the boys after... laos whiskey, tomorrow will be bad ...

good to hear from you tricky, you were the first to help out... I won't forget .. anything you want to share is much appreciated.. I'm thinking of a way to celebrate Australia Day.. the people , the music, the culture...any ideas?

hank.... ron has asked if you can upload that new race album... cheers mate

tricky....I'll upload the file..we may differ here mate...The English came a long time ago...we as Australians of today had nothing to do with that, human morals and values were a lot different two hundred years ago,I believe in equal rights for all and people taking responsibility for their actions and their future. If it wasn't for white Australians you would be speaking Japanese today.. I have two grandfathers buried in Thailand, died defending their country and your and my right to freedom. I'm a proud Australian, colour of skin is not the issue.

Hi Bruce and congrats to the football victory! Here's something to help you celebrate:

http://rapidshare.com/files/85272215/My_Buzzsaw_Baby_E.P..zip

Almost as fun as drinking and no hangover... You know, the party-hangover ratio changes as you get older, doesn't it? Before you could party for 2 days and get a 1 day hangover. Now you party 1 day and get a 2 day hangover. It's not really fair.

This is Mel...That was me who upped Beachfield Bruce... still don't have a 'sign-in'. I have a request for an Aussie album: The Simpletons - Matter (1995), also I'm looking for Black Sorrows latest called Roarin' Town. Cheers

Formed by Greg Perano, who was in early Hunters & Collectors. A wild, bluesy, noisy, in-your-face type of band. From what I've read about them, opinions were very divided about whether they were great or complete crap... Judge for yourself!

Someone recommended that I add your blog to my blogroll @ http://music-bloggers.blogspot.com I've added it under the Rock - General category. Check out the list sometime if you get a chance. I'm not sure exactly how many blogs I have listed at the moment, but there are several hundred to choose from.

Hi Bruce and Maddies, let's see, today's Australia day, right? Or maybe that was yesterday for you, with the time difference. Anyway, I hope you honoured it in a suitable fashion and your hangover isn't too bad...

Here's something else I found while looking through my boxes of vinyl:

A pretty damned cool Sydney band, clearly inspired by Birdman but came up with a hard melodic guitar/keyboard style of their own. Reminds me a bit of Died Pretty in places.As far as I know this is all they did before splitting up which makes this - hey!- a discography. Small but perfectly formed.

CITY KIDS : The orphans parade (1986) 32o kbpsRecorded, Mixed and Produced by Rob Younger and Alan Thorne.A great french rock group, influenced by aussie groups like New christshttp://rapidshare.com/files/59117124/citykidsorphanspart1.rar.html

The free music super site launces in one week.we dont charge for tracks like itunes,we dont charge for tracks like rhapsody,our site is founded on free music for everyone.sign up today and be a beta tester when site launches and get all the free tracks you want.www.wyplanet.com

Here's Bastard Universe, the bonus disc that came with the initial copies of The Church's Hologram of Baal album. It's a long - close to 80 minutes - instrumental jam, divided into 6 parts - or stages as they're called.

Not something you listen to everyday... probably mostly of interest to hardcore Church fans or students of late 80's guitar sounds... but I've found it oddly soothing at times. Ambient music for ageing rockers, perhaps?

Great blog! A taste of sunnier climes for someone stuck in the middle of permagrey England. Really want to grab the Mutton Birds 'Live in Wolverhampton' (I was there!) and the first part of the rarities collection but the links aren't working. Could you repost them, or tell me what I'm doing wrong!Love, light and peace from Rushbo.

Hey Bruce!I've been out of pocket for the past couple of weeks, but I'm glad to see that the maddies are still hard at it.I'd like to throw in my contribution to the church frenzy:demos from the gold afternoon fix sessions - http://www.sendspace.com/file/xib901Also, just to keep the Paisley Underground train rolling, here's the Black Session with Mazzy Star - http://www.sendspace.com/file/0xc8zq

to spike x my pleasure mate, I'm having to use a couple of different sites because of upload restrictions and infrequent internet connections here in Thailand. Remember if you wish to share...all is appreciated.

to ken, good to here from you again, cheers for the files, I will post tomorrow and all is good mate, cheers for asking.

Hey, this is very intresting, keep it up. Also for daily comedy videos from all over the net check out my blog or go to http://lmaoclips.tk! Homepage it to get some laughs everyday before surfing the web! Cya!

Both are my own rips, courtesy of CDs borrowed from the local library (ssssh!). Ripped with a Linux app called Grip, which uses secure ripping similar to EAC, I believe, and converted to high-quality VBR MP3s.

trying to give something back. it's been a while. Bruce, I'm worried about the education prospects of those little Thai kids ... you must be down to about 4-5 hours of teaching per week now. Or do you just give them something to do in class while you sit there behind your desk adding to this amazing blog every day? Perhaps you've got the little tackers typing up the liner notes to your uploads.

To Spike-x, must be good to have a library to go to... many thanks for sharing.. good karma man, but mate check out how people log in their file addresses in the comments.. I don't know why but if it is too long they don't work. The can't get the ones you logged in to work, could you break them down please. Again cheers and welcome to the family.

to tricky, good to hear from you mate, hope all is cool. Mate I'm working more hours here than I ever did back home, no such thing as the weekend in Thailand.. right now I,ve got one eye on the football and the other on the screen. It's true the older you get the less sleep you need.

We have a music course in our English program, 40 kids playing violin and cello (badly)couple months back I talked the school into investing in a drum kit, couple of guitars and amps... started a band with the kids. They learn really quick last week we played 'Zombie", 'Smoke on the Water' and 'Waltzing Matilda' at a school function. Parents loved it.... Thailand never ceases to surprise me.

Cowboy-rock trio The Havalinas only ever released one album - their eponymous cut from 1991. I grabbed this album out of a Brash'sbargain bin for $1 in the early nineties. The cover looked interesting so I thought I'd give it a listen.

It's a pretty decent album overall. My favourite track is Jesus and Johnny, a crankin' tale of a drug deal gone wrong somewhere near the Mexican border. Turn up the volume for this song ... perhaps it will remind you of the Gurus or the Johnnys.

Springsteen did a cover version of the album's first track, High Hopes. There are a few other songs that are pretty good. The entire album is acoustic.

Hey there cheeky fucker!It maybe one thing posting links to hard to get old stuff from dead people who don't need the money, but how the fuck dare you rip off new artists?!?!?And all that please delete after 24 hours crap - you ought to be ashamed! Hope you sleep well - twat!!

My, hasn't the general tone changed in here over recent days? Firstly there is Anonymous with his holier than thou "hey cheery fucker" message, and now e-police with his relentless quest to find the blog birthplace of each uploaded album.

For the record, I actually agree with Anonymous, although I do wonder whether that particular person has purchased every song he or she has at home. If you're guilty yourself, dont preach !!!

In saying that, trolling through music blogs doesnt necessarily mean that s/he downloads music. Anonymous could in fact be one of the artists (eg Emily Barker) or one of their relatives for example. If so, I can see where the fiery attitude comes from. I'd be pissed off if I was Emily Barker and I found this site.

I am of the opinion that music downloading is definitely stealing. It's just so damn easy to do that is bloody hard not to. It's like an addiction, and we all feel bullet-proof. I'm sure that artists do earn less overall now than they otherwise might have done due to the rise of the internet. Little reminder notes saying that we should only store downloaded mp3's for 24hrs before buying the original are a crock.

Geez, when was the last time any of you guys actually bought an album? Do you go to shitloads more live gigs, or buy more music t-shirts with all of the money you save by not buying cd's? Probably not! I don't. My money saved goes on broadband so I can download more.

Many of us are now on a neverending mission to collect every song we possibly can, every acoustic live track, every demo, every 12 inch extended mix, etc. The funny thing is by downloading so much we probably find it hard getting any free time to actually listen to much of this music. It's just nice to know it is there if you want to. When you are paying for it, you tend to be a lot more selective and you make sure you listen to the bloody stuff. Like the old days.

Being completely honest, I know that I am doing the wrong thing by not paying for music, and am becoming increasingly concerned that I'll end up in jail or being fined a fortune all because I downloaded the Arctic Bloody Monkeys live in Norway, then filed the songs away with the other zillion gigabytes worth of tunes that I am to busy to play.

I have enough music to last me many many lifetimes. Perhaps I should start enjoying it and put my nerves at ease going forward. If deep down you do agree that downloading is stealing, ask yourself - could you stop now and never do it again?

Onto E-police now -- this guy seems to reckon he knows where the MadParade posts originated. I wonder how he can be so sure given that Bruce is now hosting them on www.4shared.com? Isn't it possible that Bruce got these Supergrass albums at some other place than the various other blogs e-police mentions? Could he not have ripped the CD's himself?

I wonder if e-police has also tut tutted anyone in these other (originating) blogs for re-uploading some elses music? It's like he traces mp3 family frickin trees. Who gives 2 flying fairy fucks where the music first came from? We all know that the actual artists didn't bloody post it - we are all ripping someone off and so the rest is irrelevant.

Is there an award that e-police gives out to the best original pirate or something? This whole honour amongst thieves line is a bit of a laugh isnt it?

Not all anonymous posts are from the same person. Bruce and the like know they have to hide. I would have emailed him privately if I could have found a way to do so. He and you who download from here are taking earnings from struggling artists who survive on less than you earn. If you feel ok about that then you are a pitful excuse for a human being & I wish you a long dull, frustrated life.

" all of the music on this blog can be readily found on countless sites across the net"Not The Emily Barker cd (go on show me where it was available before you posted it!)

"I see it as sharing, the giving without the expectation of reward."See it how you want - you are wrong it is theft! And they are not yours to give! Following your thinking I could break in your house and give away your things and it would be ok. In fact give me your address & we can do just that.

"As far as the artists are concerned they receive a minuscule amount for each unit sold, the main financial gain for bands are merchandise sales and ticket sales for live shows" Again - Emily Barkers cd is self financed - all the money from sales goes to her. To her, you get that ? And, anyway using your oh so brilliant thinking I could steal your wallet because you have other money in the bank!

Basically you are thieving scum and are not man enough to own up to your actions.Go one publish your real full name and contact details and prove me wrong!

who cares if the posts are originally from Bruce? what does it matter? Is there something I'm missing? A rule somewhere? The home page of this blog has an over-arching message which states that the bulk of the posts exist elsewhere on the net. Surely this is enough for people who think their pirating glory has been stolen also?

The only person who seems to really care is Emily Barker's Anonymous Mate.

Perhaps he will now vent his frustration over at willy99-wildsafari.blogspot - it's worth checking out if he does.

Just because only I seem to care (yes i was the first couple of anonymous posts) don't mean I'm wrong.And I have commented on the "Original" blog site now too.But just because someone else stole it don't mean posting a link to it is right.Like I keep saying - it is a self released cd so you are only harming the artist herself. And don't say it gives her publicity blah blah blah - it is still theft.Bruce take down the link, or pay up to her.

Firstly, the remarks made by e-police are absurd, seeing as he doesn't object to posting music, only re-posting. If you post something on a blog you're saying here, take it, I'm giving it away. If you give something away you can't really be upset if the recipient chooses to give it away in turn.

Andy's comments are more interesting. If he objects to the posting of Emily Barker alone he has a valid point. Assuming, of course, that Bruce knew that it is a self-released CD.

When I was a kid I used to tape my friends' albums, and they taped mine. Was that morally wrong/criminal? Or is it just a question of numbers? If you post albums on a blog is that worse simply because you're sharing it with more people? Where do you draw the line? 2 people? 20 people? 200? 2000?

Not only is it impossible to make such a distinction, it's impossible to monitor and sanction. The truth is that the internet has made such issues irrelevant.

Which is something the music industry is trying to come to terms with. I for one wouldn't object to a flat rate added to the broadband fee, something that has been discussed in several countries.

Certain is that attacking Bruce for sharing music isn't going to solve anything, whatever your position is.

For me personally, the great thing with music blogs is that they give me the possibility to hear records that are out of print or impossible to get a hold of. (A thought: why is no one objecting to e-bay, where people are selling records, thus making money out of something they didn't create, with no money going to the artists or copyright holders?)

2. Joe buys a CD. He listens to it a few times, then gives it to his friend.

3. Joe buys a CD. He makes a hard copy and gives it to his mate at work.

4. Joe buys a CD. He converts it to mp3 files and mails them to five of his old schoolmates.

5. Joe buys a CD. He converts it to mp3 files and posts them on his blog.

In which, if any, of these is Joe doing something morally wrong? And if so, why?

We are experiencing something new here. The consumer is taking advantage of the means provided to him by the entertainment industry. The industry which has developed the mp3 standard, computers, the digital music file, the CD, internet browsers, blog templates, the mp3 player etc etc.

Every major change in the behaviour of the music consumer has been driven by convenience, ease-of-use. Like now. It simply can't be stopped.

It is a shame that the individual musician/performer/writer will suffer in the process (yes I really think so, honestly. I wouldn't have minded if we had stayed with vinyl) but things do change, and sometimes you have to develop new strategies to be able to do what you want to do.

And I am sure that performers will create new means of marketing and profiting from their work. It has already started, which I'm sure we all are aware of.

I do go on, don't I? The bottom line is that it's not as clear cut as Andy makes out. Comparing music sharing with stealing things from someone's house doesn't really hold. It's a grey area, whether we like it or not. Things have changed and they won't unchange.

The comparison is heavy handed maybe but valid.And reselling on ebay or at second hand stores doesn't involve the theft of the cds in the 1st instance. That is what is happening here. Why delude yourselves and own up to what you do.Really it is pathetic that you don't just say "Hell yeah I rip artists off & I don't give a fuck". You know that is what you all do.Bruce knows now the facts about Emily Barkers release (even if he didn't before) yet he has not taken the link down - or addressed my points. So still is scum in my eyes.

Well, Andy, you seem to ignore the bigger picture. Which is fine, but really you're living in the the past.

The reason I entered this, uh, let's call it "debate", was that I think it's an interesting question, and that someone might have some intelligent views on the matter. Which Tricky did, but you, Andy, doesn't seem to have. Or be willing to share. I still would be interested, though, to know what you think of my five Joe scenarios.

And the housebreaking... oh dear. Let me break it down for you:

1. Bruce is given music files (by someone who might or might not have bought the CD. We don't know). He gives them to others.

2. Andy breaks into Bruce's house and steals his TV.

Not really similar, are they?

But maybe it's easier to live in a world where everything is black or white, calling people scum and ignore anything that's a little bit complicated.

No it is more like this:Andy is given access to Bruces house by someone who may have broken in. Andy then gives away what he finds there.

It matters not that you defend yourself by saying its the modern world, everyone else is doing it or whatever. Wrong is wrong. Stop trying to avoid the moral consequences. None of you have faced up to the facts about Emily Barkers self financed, non record label supported, copyrighted work being given away by Bruce without her consent for free. Why is that?

I've never heard of Emily Barker before all this. I may download the files and give 'em a listen, decide I like the music, and buy her CD (if, God forbid, I'm actually able to find a copy in this shit-hole town I live in). I've done it before, and will no doubt will do it again. Maybe, as a supporter of hers, you should be thanking Bruce for the free publicity, rather than calling him names?

Oh, and as for e-police: who cares who 'stole' what files first? Get your head our of your arse and get a life, mate!

Oh really, maybe this maybe that. More probably you won't buy it.It is not publicity it is theft - admit it and I'd begin to have some respect for you lot.As for the name calling - oh boo hoo! Should I apologise, would that make you feel ok about yourselves. Well frankly fuck that! If you saw a friend of yours being robbed would you call those standing by encouraging it a few names? Of course you would.And don't think I'll go away - I will be here pissing on your parade until Bruce takes down the link.Later losers!

"I work with Emily. We paid for the recording of this album out of our own pockets. The only income she has right now is from the occasional gig and the sale of CDs at those gigs and hopefully soon, after many months of work, via retailers. Every time you download her album for free, you help make it more difficult for her to survive as an artist. Do the right thing - go and pay £10 for an album that someone has dedicated their life to making. If you don't, you are a thief. I am reporting your blog to the IFPI."

emily who? 99% of the people who decided to use up their download capacity getting this album would never ever have heard of this chick. I have downloaded albums from here a few times but couldnt give a shit about this one. How many others thought like me ... Emily Barker? Pass !! Cant see how I have cost this chick any money.

Then there are those who may have downloaded the album for the hell of it but will never pull their finger out and actually listen to the album. the magical earth shattering qualities of her music will remain ever elusive. How can this have taken food from here mouth? Started a stranger, continues a stranger.

some people may have seen the post and thought "bugger it - let's see what this is like!" Then listened and thought - crap !!! This is pretty much akin to standing in JB HiFI and having a sample listen before making a purchase decision. Same result too for many people I'm sure - this sounds like shite .. wouldnt waste my money. Cost to Emily Barker? Fuck all.

next category - those who thought "I'll have stab and see what this is like. Then had a listen and thought "pretty damn good", thus either keeping it and never buying the real deal, or perhaps going and getting the original (this does actually happen you know). Cost to Ms Barker? Hard to say, but given that for the most part no-one knows who the hell she is I would have to say minimal.

Next category - Emily Barker afficionados who are eagerly trolling through mp3 blogs hunting for the next Emily B masterpiece. "Boomshanka .. there it is" they cry en masse, as they download in great throngs, in the process stealing milk and bread money from this struggling genius.

Really, if I could be half-arsed I would make it my 2008 mission to upload this album onto every possible blog, torrent site, music forum, etc that I could find, and would do so with every future release just to piss Andy Pandy off.

Hi there. Emily Barker here. Thought I'd better make an appearance due to all the debate and discussion...Firstly, I'd like to thank Bruce for the glowing review he gave my album. However, making it available to download for free is not something I appreciate at all! It is available to purchase online from http://www.smartchoicemusic.com or you can download it from itunes. In Australia it will be available in shops from April. As Andy rightly stated, I am an independent artist. I paid for the album to be made and in fact still owe moneys to the artists that performed on it and also to the engineers involved. I work as a waitress to subsidise my music. I earn 5.5 pounds an hour at a cafe in London. I am working hard on making music my career, and whilst I appreciate the attention this blog has created, I do not condone downloading for free and request that my album be taken off this site immediately. Thanks and please support independent artists by buying their music rather than filesharing for free. Emily Barker

If you had read an earlier comment of mine, Andy, you would have seen that I did agree that your point about Emily is valid. Morally valid, that is.

The rest of my rantings were really about what is happening on the internet and what it means, which I think is a lot more interesting than whether Emily Barker has lost a couple of dollars. Can't you see that Emily's plight is made irrelevant by what is happening today? The morality of it is just not an issue anymore.

As for the actual damage done to Emily, I find it hard to believe that it can be very severe. How many of the potential buyers of her CD check out this blog? Really? Tricky pretty much covered it.

Her music isn't the world's most attractive proposition (yes, you made me curious, Andy, so I downloaded, listened and then erased. It's a very average album). It's not a god-given right to be able to make living as a musician. The world is full of singers like her, and if she wants to live off her music she had better come up with something more original. The really good musicians will always succeed, regardless of whether people tape, blog or copy their albums.

"out of interest (and with an honest reponse being sought) have you ever downloaded music yourself? At all?"Honestly, yes I have downloaded music, but I have paid for all of it.

"And are you having similar flame-fests on other blogs who may have posted the said album?"I have left a sarky comment on the blog that was pointed out above, so yes. And as I said before I was not checking blog sites searching for this, it came up on a google alert.

Actually it was not the record companies it was the musicians union that ran a campaign that "Home Taping is Killing Live Music".Attacking the her music doesn't change a thing. Why doesn't Bruce take the link down?

No, you're talking about a different campaign. What I'm referring to is a slogan that was printed on record covers together with a pretty nifty symbol, a cassette with crossbones. I might have gotten the exact wording wrong. Still didn't happen, though.

I'm not attacking Ms Barker. I'm just stating my opinion that her music is average. Not really an attack by anyone's standards. Then I made some comments on musicians in general.

Neither I, Tricky, Spike-x or anyone else can answer for Bruce. What he chooses to do is his business.

I had hoped this could turn out to be an interesting discussion about internet, music and downloading, but instead Andy keeps harping on about Emily Barker. Out of a morally valid but outdated principle. Pretty boring.

Yes, Andy, posting an album by a struggling artist is morally wrong. I wouldn't do it, you wouldn't do it. OK?

But, as you apparently can't understand, file sharing is bigger than you or me or Emily Barker. It's so big that even the music industry has realised it can't be stopped, and is looking for alternative means to create revenue. I just think that's more interesting than Ms Barker.

Whom I, by the way, wish the best of luck. Everyone has a right to pursue their dream. Nothing wrong with being a waitress though. More useful than another singer-songwriter.

But Andy you have entertained us. First coming on like an enraged drunk, spouting creative insults like "twat", "dickhead", threatening to come and break into Bruce's house if he would only give out his address ...

Then full of righteous fury like Don Quixote attacking the windmills... you're right about you not changing the world... the world has changed and you're stuck in the old world. And you can't change it back. Like you said - boo hoo...

Hmm.. the more I think about it the more uncertain I get about the morals. Can file sharing really be stealing? You're not taking anything that somebody has. Nobody can know whether the people downloading an album would have bought the album had it not been available for download.

So the argument would be that you're taking the chance of that artist getting money in the future. The idea of future revenue. Can that really be stolen, even calculated?

But I'm sure Andy has the answer to that.

And Andy, if you buy an album, is it OK to give it away? Or is it the act of copying it and then giving it away that is wrong? (I'm sure you've never taped anything for friends) Or is one copy OK, two wrong? I'm just curious how a righteous man like you makes these distinctions.

Twist & turn all you want.Bruce has been requested by the artist to remove the link. And yet has not done so.How is that right?Really - how do you justify that action?The only comments from you intellectual heavy weights to her request were bitching about how you didn't like her music anyway, it wasn't original enough and that she was more use as a waitress.How proud you must be!

The request is to remove this blogs link to the file. That is why I said link!I know he can't remove the actual file.And, since you need an lesson in logic too- he needs to act to do as requested.Is that simple enough for you to understand?

given that it looks like Bruce has run to the hills for a while, rather than having the link to the file removed from this blog is it not possible to contact Rapishare and have them remove the actual file itself?

That way, even if the link were to be found here, no-one could download the album anyway?

Yes, that's a really good album, I've had it on CD since it came out. I'm pretty sure I've seen at least one other Havalinas album though...?

By the way, remember you very kindly uploaded some Paul Kelly albums for me? Well, I got so into Kelly after that, I bought all of his albums that were available on amazon. Except for a couple that were import only and cost a fortune. So file sharing can work that way too. Just thought I'd mention it... for obvious reasons.

I'm not going to weigh into the back-and-forth, all of the points I might make have already been made ten times over and much louder than I could muster.

This is my approach to blog downloading, and I imagine I'm somewhere close to a 'typical' downloader:

- I download albums/eps/singles that I'm unable to get elsewhere because they've been deleted.

- I sometimes download something that looks interesting and I'd like to sample/hear. If I don't like it, I just ignore/delete it. If I become a fan of the music, I will 9/10 seek out their other music in hard-copy form or download legally.

- If I get something from a blogsite that I end up absolutely loving - I will buy that CD from the shops to make me feel okay about loving the record and then buy everything else I can get my hands on (and my small income can stretch too).

- Downloading records off blog sites have lead to me buying CDs by bands and artists like The Triffids, Nick Drake, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Church and a whole load others. These are all CDs I would otherwise probably have never owned (a shocking thought, now).

I realise I don't really have a point - I just thought I'd try and show a snapshot of my general approach to the whole thing.

I think a lot of people have a generally positive and fair approach to blogsites. Like with everything else, there will always be people who take things too far.

Trying to stamp out file-sharing seems like a lost cause. Surely the best hope from here is for artists/bands/record companies to find a balance.

I've always played in bands (most small and unnoticed, one or two which have sold a modest amount of records) and I've always tried to make my music available in as many formats as possible: records in the shops, free on-line, for sale at shows, free at shows, all-sorts at various times.

Any way you can get your music out there helps the artist. The vast majority of bands survive on live shows and merch (I've had an album in the top 10 -albeit it briefly - and I haven't made me a cent from it, but survived on touring and selling those silly t-shirts and things).

Hey, Bottlelow, almost forgot your request for the Dream Syndicate boot. Sorry, I had gotten it wrong (partly). The songs on side 1 (it's a vinyl album) are all to be found on the "Day Before Wine And Roses" album, posted on this blog.Side 2 are not, however. Might get around to ripping them eventually, in the meantime, you might enjoy this:

I saw Died Pretty do the "Don't Look Back" gig last Friday night in Melbourne doing Doughboy Hollow end-to-end and then some. They were incredible and have lost nothing in their virtual 15 year hiatus. Ron Peno was still mesmerising. I cried during Doused (what a sook). Godbless Died Pretty. What a night!

Performing artists should be entitled to keep copyright on recordings for 95 years instead of the current 50 years, the European Union's internal market chief says.

"I have not seen or heard a convincing reason why a composer of music should benefit from a term of copyright that extends to the composer's life and 70 years beyond, while the performer should enjoy 50 years, often not even covering his lifetime," internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy told a news conference.

Performers who began their careers in their early 20s would get to their 70s and the copyright for their recordings would run out, he says.

"This should not impact on consumer prices," Mr McCreevy said, adding most of the extra cash collected would stay in Europe.

The recording industry has given Mr McCreevy the thumbs up.

"This is a proposal to give a fair deal to the next generation of music talent by giving new artists in Europe the same copyright term as their counterparts in the US," said Paul McGuinness, manager of Irish rock band U2.

Mr McCreevy will make his proposal by mid-year.

It will need approval from EU states and the European Parliament and come into effect by 2010 at the earliest.

Lawmakers will have to decide to what extent it could be applied retroactively, but the 95-year period would be mandatory for all EU states and pass to a performer's heirs until the term expired.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which represents recording companies such as Warner, EMI and Sony BMG, has welcomed Mr McCreevy's move.

"We applaud Commissioner McCreevy for the vision he has shown in keeping creativity right at the centre of the European economy," IFPI chief executive John Kennedy said.

Copyright levyMr McCreevy also says he planned to relaunch a public consultation on the copyright levy imposed in some states on devices like MP3 players and blank CDs used by people to make private copies of music, but says he has no intention of scrapping the levy.

The money raised is distributed to artists and some also goes to fund cultural events.

In 2006, Mr McCreevy was forced to back down when he first tried to reform the copyright levy system after the French Prime Minister intervened, saying it would hurt European culture.

But companies like Philips and HP say the levy is a tax on products that varies enormously from one EU state to another, distorting the internal market.

"There is little coherence between member states as to how they apply these levies," Mr McCreevy said.

EICTA, which represents EU electronics companies, says the current system bears no relation to how much copyright material is legitimately copied for private use.

"France in a week's time will decide on the amount of levy on mobile phones, but with no analysis of how much music people copy on their mobile phones," EICTA director general Mark MacGann said.

"EICTA members like Philips, Nokia and Sony say they agree to pay levies provided there is empirical analysis that demonstrates how much capacity of these devices is used for private copying. We are not calling for the system to be abolished," Mr MacGann said."

Performing artists should be entitled to keep copyright on recordings for 95 years instead of the current 50 years, the European Union's internal market chief says.

"I have not seen or heard a convincing reason why a composer of music should benefit from a term of copyright that extends to the composer's life and 70 years beyond, while the performer should enjoy 50 years, often not even covering his lifetime," internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy told a news conference.

Performers who began their careers in their early 20s would get to their 70s and the copyright for their recordings would run out, he says.

"This should not impact on consumer prices," Mr McCreevy said, adding most of the extra cash collected would stay in Europe.

The recording industry has given Mr McCreevy the thumbs up.

"This is a proposal to give a fair deal to the next generation of music talent by giving new artists in Europe the same copyright term as their counterparts in the US," said Paul McGuinness, manager of Irish rock band U2.

Mr McCreevy will make his proposal by mid-year.

It will need approval from EU states and the European Parliament and come into effect by 2010 at the earliest.

Lawmakers will have to decide to what extent it could be applied retroactively, but the 95-year period would be mandatory for all EU states and pass to a performer's heirs until the term expired.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which represents recording companies such as Warner, EMI and Sony BMG, has welcomed Mr McCreevy's move.

"We applaud Commissioner McCreevy for the vision he has shown in keeping creativity right at the centre of the European economy," IFPI chief executive John Kennedy said.

Copyright levyMr McCreevy also says he planned to relaunch a public consultation on the copyright levy imposed in some states on devices like MP3 players and blank CDs used by people to make private copies of music, but says he has no intention of scrapping the levy.

The money raised is distributed to artists and some also goes to fund cultural events.

In 2006, Mr McCreevy was forced to back down when he first tried to reform the copyright levy system after the French Prime Minister intervened, saying it would hurt European culture.

But companies like Philips and HP say the levy is a tax on products that varies enormously from one EU state to another, distorting the internal market.

"There is little coherence between member states as to how they apply these levies," Mr McCreevy said.

EICTA, which represents EU electronics companies, says the current system bears no relation to how much copyright material is legitimately copied for private use.

"France in a week's time will decide on the amount of levy on mobile phones, but with no analysis of how much music people copy on their mobile phones," EICTA director general Mark MacGann said.

"EICTA members like Philips, Nokia and Sony say they agree to pay levies provided there is empirical analysis that demonstrates how much capacity of these devices is used for private copying. We are not calling for the system to be abolished," Mr MacGann said."

After all, Paul McCartney's going to need a steady income when he's a hundred and twenty fucking years old.

The levy on MP3 players and blank CDs sounds like a great idea, too. After all, why should I be entitled to listen to rips of CDs I pay good money for, or make backups of my important files, without putting money in a greedy record company executive's pocket?

Reading some of the posts arguing the pros and cons of downloading there is one point I have not seen mentioned. As much as I love mp3s to listen to on my Ipod, the sound quality even when they are recorded at 320bps just doesn't cut it when I listen on my home stereo. If I really like an album owning it on mp3 is not enough. I MUST have the original vinyl or CD. I can't begin to tell folks like Emily and Andy (both of whom make some very valid points) how many times I have listened to something I never heard before on mp3 and then promptly went to Amazon or CD Baby or my local store to buy what I consider the 'real thing'.

Following on from roundround's comments... I completely agree. Over the last eighteen months to two years or so I have only purchased albums I know I like, having downloaded it first. I've bought more music in that time than I had in the previous 10 years put together. I simply wouldn't have found the music contained in the CDs on my shelves without downloads, & it's the only way I buy music these days, (having wasted way too much $ on CDs in the past). Now, I have a collection I'm proud of and listen to, instead of a stack of mediocre CDs that just collect dust.mel

I just saw all the talk on the died pretty reunion gigs, I've posted a review of sorts on my blog on the Brisbane showhttp://stripedsunlight.blogspot.com/2008/02/dont-look-back-concert-series-ed.html ciao bob

Just discovered your great blog. I live in the U.S. and have a similar background, I guess; child of sixties, garage band. I've long been a fan of Ausrock and Kiwi and have some Stems on vinyl. Could you re-upload this? (The Stems - Mushroom Soup, The Citadel Years)Also. I wonder if you might have anything with the title track "Creatures Of Leisure"-Mental As Anything? It's a slowed-down version with sound effects; lawn mower, summer insects, opening a can of beer, etc. I don't think it was on the original release; but was on the U.S. release. I'm afraid it didn't survive a party.Thanks for all the wonderful tunes.Glenn

I am all for good music (especially the Melniks, Cunningham and the Fergusons) getting heard by as many people as possible... but by the same token, if you are going to cut and paste huge chunks of text from my website, I'd appreciate you including a link back to the site! I spent hours writing those bios!

Thought you might be interested in this link -- it's awesome video taken by Byrds founded Roger McGuinn and his wife Camilla. He got out his guitar during a train ride from Florida to New York City, and played some of his hits, as well as some lesser-known songs.

Things Of Stone And Woodhttp://rapidshare.com/files/109183337/Wildflowers.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/107525117/Whirligig.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/107412007/The_Man_With_The_Perfect_Hair.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/107403807/The_Yearning.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/107151184/Single_Perfect_Raindrop__Single_.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/106988234/Share_This_Wine__Single_.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/106966283/Rollercoaster.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/105893545/Junk_Theatre.rarhttp://rapidshare.com/files/105297381/Happy_Birthday_Helen_EP.rar

Only found your blog today and I can't believe my good luck! I've had a great day downloading artists that I'd only heard one or two of their tracks and enjoying some of their other songs.

I was wondering if you had any music by the Choirboys? I'm particularly after Fireworks. And do you know where the track Waking Up Tired by the Hoodoo Gurus is from? I think that's the song but I can't seem to trace the album.

I'd also be really interested in hearing some music by the Kids in the Kitchen as I've heard that they're good but I've not heard any of their music.

Anyway, I will be quiet now but thanks heaps for all of this - it's a brilliant resource and really informative too, not just links. :D

Hi B,Excellent blog. Been living in chile for a few years now & oz music here is as rare as rocking-horse shit. Yours is the first blog i´ve come across with these great sounds. Any other tips? Still haven´t delved right in but i´m hoping to find some Tiddas.One prob found already is the broken link for WPA´s Scorn of The Women.B stands for BONZA, BEAUTY, BLOODY RIPPER!Saludos Brother BEL GRINGO PETER

I have to say, Bruce, this is by far one of the best blogs on the interwebs I have had the good fortune of finding and grabbing tracks from. What a wealth of awesome Aussie musical bounty you are bestowing upon us. I had known about some of these bands prior to the century switch. Yet, it wasn't until I heard Shock Records' "Do The Pop" comp circa 2002 that my eyes were burned open to the brilliance of the Australian underground bandscape. That comp, combined with the Raven Records' "Born Out Of Time" and FeelPresents' "Tales Of The Australian Underground Vol.1" educated me quite a bit on what bands to follow up and follow the threads from the every band name-checked in the liner notes. Surprisingly, one band led naturally to another through some subtle or not so association or other.

I spent the intervening 5-6 years hunting down a good portion of what you offer here at your blog so freely. I could've certainly saved a few hundred dollars had this site existed when I was voraciously trying to absorb as much as I could about the Australian underground scene :). There is still a legion of links awaiting me here. I look immensely forward to filling the gaps in my knowledgebase and collection. Thanks for providing such a rich tapestry of tunes for download.

Not to sound too ungrateful, but the trolls appear to have eaten the links to The Lighthouse Keepers Lipsnipegroin Disc 1 as well as the Fuzztones Flashbacks album link. Could you kindly re-up those links when you have a moment?

Thanks again to Bruce and everyone else who contribute to the amazing collection of music here.

PLEASE READ

To assist me in maintaining this blog, please read Blah, Blah, BlahI read the comments here on a regular basis so I can answer all requests and respond to any problems, especially deleted files ... I really hate having my files deleted.

Cheers to ALL

b

Maddies Crew - Those whose time & effort make this blog function

with gratitude from bruce

trickyhankcobmaileekenbottlelowbobbieoverheremelpaolospike-x

please leave a thank you, they give their time and music for you to enjoy

peace & love

bruce

TROLLS IN THE SYSTEM

Files are being deleted - if you come across a deleted file leave me a message in Blah, Blah, Blah. I will re-upload

I Could Fill A Room With Empty Pockets

I'm a child of the 60's had my first guitar by 8. Spent the 80's playing in indie bands in Brisbane and Sydney Australia. An innovative and challenging time for Australian music, "It's coming of age". Time passes and the smoke haze and stale smell of beer has faded... I now work as a teacher in Thailand, still have my guitar, still love music. Peace & Love